Tears as community mourn loss of 'murdered' schoolboy at emotional Birmingham vigils
Hundreds of mourners have paid their respects to tragic schoolboy Leo Ross at church vigils in Birmingham. Families braved the near-freezing temperatures and pouring rain to remember the 12-year-old, who was 'knifed in the stomach' as he walked home from school in Scribers Lane, Hall Green, on Tuesday, January 21.
The emotional vigils were held at Christ Church in Yardley Wood and St Peter's Church in Hall Green simultaneously from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, January 26. People of all faiths, walks of life and ages prayed, lit candles, signed the book of condolences, or simply sat in solemn reflection.
Many cried and consoled one another as they came to terms with the tragedy which has shattered the city. Martin Stephenson, vicar of St Peter's Church, off Highfield Road, said: "It’s been extraordinarily moving. There’s been an outpouring of love and kindness and grief.
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"There’s deep sympathy for Leo’s family and friends. People say it’s so awful, and those who knew Leo said he was a lovely lad.
"People are very shaken, I think. You only have to look at those candles and think they represent the prayers of so many people.
"The stillness of this place is a sign of God’s presence. We remembered Leo in our church this morning, and we are a parish church that is here for everyone."
A mum and grandmother attended the vigil at Christchurch in Yardley Wood were moved to tears. Clare Woods, from Hall Green, said: "It’s so close to home, and I have a daughter who is 12 and attended the same primary school as Leo.
“I want to pay my respects. This has brought the community together. I can’t get it off my mind. You think that this time last week, he was a normal boy living his life, and then his life turned upside down.
"When the kids are five minutes late home, you now think what’s happened. You don’t know who’s out there. They need to get grips this knife crime. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Councillor Timothy Huxtable (Hall Green South, Cons.), whose ward includes Scribers Lane, said after attending both the services. He said : “I’ve been to St Peter’s and it’s very solemn. Every five minutes the vicar is saying words or prayers.
“You can light a candle in Leo’s memory. This has really affected people and it’s an expression of love from the community to help start the grieving process”
West Midlands Police have since charged a 14-year-old boy with murder, possession of a bladed article and half a dozen additional assaults, none of which involved the use of a knife.
The defendant - who cannot be names for legal reasons due to his age- will appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday.
His full list of charges include:
The murder of Leo Ross on January 21, 2025
Possession of a bladed article on January 21, 2025
Assault on a woman on October 22, 2024
Assault on a PC on November 26, 2024
Assault on a PC on November 26, 2024
Serious assault of a woman on January 19, 2025
Serious assault of a woman on January 20, 2025
Assault of a woman on January 21, 2025